Neat piles of equipment line the perimeter of the Michigan football team’s practice field, ready at a moment’s notice. There are blocking sleds, orange cones and various pads used throughout different drills. Nothing out of the ordinary.

But if you take a closer look at the sticker on the red tackling dummies placed strategically around the field, there is one thing you might not expect — a giant Ohio State logo.

Brandon Graham, who will play in his final game at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, said the Wolverines will smack the red pads a little harder this week in practice. Listening to the senior speak about the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry — he came close to tears at yesterday’s press conference — it’s crystal clear that the defensive end is getting psyched for Saturday.

But you get the feeling this one may be a little more personal. When asked if he would ever let his future children go to Ohio State, he had this to say:

“I couldn’t do that. I’m not Justin Boren.”

Boren left the Michigan program before the 2008 season, shortly after the hiring of coach Rich Rodriguez. He did the unthinkable, the unprecedented — he jumped to the other side of the greatest rivalry in college football history. Because of NCAA regulations, Boren had to sit out last season, meaning this will be his first appearance in The Game from the Buckeye sideline.

Upon leaving Ann Arbor, Boren infamously said the program’s “family values have eroded.” The harsh words came as a shock to Michigan fans everywhere, who were used to the squeaky clean tradition of the Bo Schembechler era.

“I don't know if it does much good to go back in the past,” Rodriguez said yesterday when asked about Boren. “I've said several times before that we pride ourselves on the closeness that we have as a family. ... I think if you asked our players, the large majority, if not all of them, would tell you they feel that sense of closeness amongst each other, amongst the staff. They sense that atmosphere, a family atmosphere, that permeates throughout the program.”

Graham said Boren’s comments didn’t surprise him, because the talented offensive lineman had “distanced himself” in the weeks after Rodriguez’s hire. Boren struggled to adjust from former coach Lloyd Carr to Rodriguez, and it soon became apparent that he wouldn’t be with the Wolverines much longer.

“He just didn’t feel like he needed to be here no more,” Graham said. “A lot of people leave because it’s their situation. I just like splashing it up because he went to O-State. He could have went anywhere else, but he went to Ohio State.”

“It was like a slap in the face.”

And you can bet that Graham won’t hold back his sentiments this weekend. After the Wolverines lost to Wisconsin, Badger tight end Lance Kendricks said Graham was a big trash-talker on the field. Surely, Boren will be getting an earful Saturday.

“I’ve got a lot of words for a lot of people,” Graham said. “Whoever’s in my way every play, I let them know every play, ‘Don’t come my way.’ Some people talk back, some people don’t. … I’m just trying to get in their head.”

As much as Graham seemed hurt by Boren’s jump to scarlet-and-grey uniforms, he laughed off the situation.

The same can’t be said for offensive lineman David Moosman. The redshirt senior is usually even-keeled and accommodating when speaking with the media, but he immediately clammed up at the first mention of his ex-teammate.

“I don’t talk to him, I don’t think about him,” Moosman said. “He doesn’t come up in my daily life. And I don’t have to play against him on defense. I wish I could. But he’s on offense and so am I.”

With the national media already writing off Michigan — ESPN’s Pat Forde said the Buckeyes “will demolish Michigan” in his latest column — and Boren’s switch fresh in their minds, the Wolverines won't have any trouble getting motivated.

Maybe Michigan won’t even need those red, block ‘O’ tackling dummies, after all.